A Symphony of Hearts

10: The Conductor's Gaze (Ethan's POV)

just so you guys know, im going to make every 10th chapter a special one with it being someone other than elena's POV, whether it be ethan, luca or someone else. i hope you enjoy!!

Ethan stood at the podium, baton in hand, surveying the sea of faces before him. The orchestra was assembled, instruments tuned, waiting for his signal. He could feel the familiar pulse of anticipation in the air—the calm before the storm of music.

But his mind wasn't on the music today. It was on her.

Elena stood at the far end of the room, talking with Luca, her smile bright, her laugh soft and melodic. She looked radiant, the kind of effortless beauty that seemed to capture the light in every room she entered. Ethan couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

He had introduced her to the orchestra just moments ago, officially welcoming her to the team for their upcoming performance. She had been nervous, he could tell—her hands had trembled ever so slightly when she shook his. But she had also been excited, eager to prove herself in this new environment. It was one of the things he admired most about her—her determination, her drive.

And now, as she stood there with Luca, chatting easily, Ethan felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation stirring in his chest. Jealousy. He had seen the way Luca looked at her, the way he made her laugh with his easy charm. It was a sharp contrast to the tension that seemed to define Ethan's every interaction with her.

Luca was the kind of man who could make anyone feel at ease, who could turn even the most awkward moments into something light and fun. And Elena... she seemed to gravitate toward that energy, as if she needed it to balance out the intensity of her life.

Ethan clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look away from them. He had no right to feel this way. Elena wasn't his. She had every right to laugh with Luca, to enjoy his company. And yet, the sight of them together twisted something deep inside him.

He tapped the baton against the podium, drawing the attention of the orchestra. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Ethan took a deep breath, channeling his emotions into the task at hand.

"Let's begin," he said, his voice steady, even though his heart wasn't.

The first notes filled the room, a delicate interplay of strings and woodwinds, and Ethan let himself get lost in the music. He moved with precision, guiding the orchestra with practiced ease, his focus sharp. This was his domain—where he could control every note, every rhythm, every breath.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the image of Elena and Luca, standing so close, sharing that easy camaraderie. Every time his gaze flicked to Elena, he saw the way her eyes lit up when she talked to Luca, the way she seemed so relaxed, so free.

It made him wonder... was that what she needed? Someone who could make her smile without complicating things? Someone who could offer her warmth without the weight of unspoken tension?

The thought gnawed at him, even as he conducted with flawless precision. He had always prided himself on his ability to keep his personal feelings separate from his work, to maintain a distance that allowed him to focus on the music. But Elena had shattered that careful balance. She had slipped past his defenses, and now she was all he could think about.

As the rehearsal continued, Ethan found himself growing more and more aware of her presence in the room. Every note she played, every glance she exchanged with Luca, seemed to pull at him, drawing his attention away from the music. It was maddening.

Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. During a brief break in the rehearsal, he stepped off the podium and approached Elena. She was sitting with Luca, their heads close as they discussed something he couldn't hear. Ethan cleared his throat, and they both looked up, startled.

"Elena," he said, trying to keep his voice casual, "I need to go over a few things with you before the next section. Can we talk?"

Elena blinked, clearly surprised by his sudden request, but she nodded. "Of course."

Luca shot Ethan a curious glance but didn't say anything as Elena stood up and followed Ethan to a quieter corner of the room.

"What's up?" she asked, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to voice what he was feeling without revealing too much. He had never been good at this—at opening up, at showing vulnerability. But something about Elena made him want to try, even if it terrified him.

"I just... wanted to make sure you're comfortable with everything," he said, his tone a little more strained than he intended. "I know this is new for you, and I don't want you to feel overwhelmed."

Elena's expression softened, and she smiled at him in that way that made his heart skip a beat. "I'm fine, Ethan. A little nervous, but... I'm excited. I've never been part of something like this before."

Ethan nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. He wanted to say more, to tell her that he had noticed the way Luca looked at her, that it was driving him crazy. But he knew that wasn't fair. This was her decision to make, not his.

"Good," he said finally, forcing himself to take a step back. "Just remember, if you need anything... I'm here."

Elena's smile widened, and she reached out to squeeze his arm, a simple gesture that sent a shockwave through him. "Thanks, Ethan. That means a lot."

He nodded again, trying to keep his composure as he turned back to the podium. But as he resumed the rehearsal, the jealousy still simmered beneath the surface, a constant reminder that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't control everything—not his feelings, not Elena's choices, and certainly not the complicated web of emotions that seemed to entangle them all.